PUNTA CANA: OCCIDENTAL GRAND, EXCELLENCE and SIVORY

Beach at Occidental Grand

After a wonderful but busy year of travel, all I wanted to do was lay in the sun, walk the beach and read.  And that is exactly how we spent the holidays.  During 3 weeks in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, we experienced 3 different resorts.  

Royal Club restaurant Occidental Grand

The first, The Occidental Grand, is a large, all inclusive resort.  We had a 2 room apartment  at the Occidental Royal Club, a small section of the resort right beside the beach with its own full service restaurant.  Thanks to a terrific deal from Skyauction, we spent 6 nights there. 

Excellence pool

Excellence nature walk

For 10 days over Christmas and New Year's, we were at the Excellence Punta Cana.  And it was excellent.  Also all inclusive, it had about 450 units - half that of Occidental - but one never felt crowded.  The property is spread out and with 9 restaurants to choose from, there was never a wait.  

Excellence nature walk

Most days were spent on the beach, occasionally at the infinity pool. One morning, we took a bike ride and another, a horseback ride on the beach.  And we enjoyed a daily walk on a lovely nature path where ducks and geese and colorful creatures greeted us.

Excellence nature walk

For the final week, we were at the Sivory, a very small -- 55 units -- upscale resort.  This was not all inclusive but they did leave a breakfast tray outside the door every morning with coffee, tea, juice and pastries.  Sivory lacks the activities and upbeat energy of the other resorts but it is private and peaceful.  It was another great deal found on Skyauction.  

Our room at Sivory  

Now we are back in Boca Raton for the week before heading up to West Palm Beach for a month.  

Wishing everyone the best of everything in the coming year.

The pool at Sivory